Actress Heather Locklear (R) and actor John C. McGinley attend the 2003 spring luncheon for Down Syndrome at the Beverly Hills Hotel on April 8, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. The annual event benefits the National Down Syndrome Society and the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles. (Robert Mora/Getty Images)

Jon Bon Jovi, Heather Locklear, and Richie Sambora pose for a photo-op following a rally to announce the Philadelphia Soul as the newest team in the Arena Football League September 23, 2003 at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Don Murray/Getty Images)

Actors Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood of “LAX” speak with the press during day two of the NBC Summer TCA Press Tour at the Century Plaza Hotel on June 11, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Actress Heather Locklear of the television original movie “Angels Fall” for the Lifetime Networks speaks during the 2007 Winter TCA Press Tour at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on January 11, 2007 in Pasadena, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

In this handout image provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Dept., actress Heather Locklear poses for a mugshot September 28, 2008 in Santa Barbara, California. Locklear was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance in the Santa Barbara area, authorities said Sunday. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Dept. via Getty Images)

Model Heather Locklear arrives at the Women In Film 2009 Crystal And Lucy Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on June 12, 2009 in Century City, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

(L-R) Actors Heather Locklear and Jack Wagner watch the season opening game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 27, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Once upon a time, Heather Locklear and David Spade dated, turning up to be photographed together at premieres and other events. But the 2006 romance didn’t last, with Locklear reportedly too fresh off her divorce from Richie Sambora to be ready for another serious relationship.

David Spade, master of the Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe, in 2016. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

But perennial bachelor Spade was happy to stay friends, and in a new interview he reveals he still loves her, according to People.

In talking to Andy Cohen on his SiriusXM Radio show, the “Saturday Night Live” alum added that he is especially sad to see Locklear, 56, going through tough times with her repeated arrests and reports that she’s entered a long-term rehabilitation program to deal with mental health and substance abuse issues.

“I mean, I love her,” said the “Joe Dirt” actor, who is known for having dated a number of well-known female stars, including Lara Flynn Boyle, Naya Rivera and Julie Bowen, E! News reported.

“(Locklear) was nice to go out with me, and I will always be indebted to her because she was so nice, so fun,” added Spade, 53. He then laughed, aware that she was always viewed as one of TV’s most popular beauties, while he’s not exactly hunk material.

“And no apologies. Went out with me, didn’t care, even though I’m sure she took some grief,” he joked. He said he first developed a crush on her while watching her on “Dynasty” and “T.J. Hooker” in the 1980s. They initially met when she guest-hosted “Saturday Night Live,” and he was on the writing staff.

“I was some goofy writer … not getting any sketches on, of course. Just like, mesmerized by her, growing up on her, loving her,” he said. After they broke up, they stayed friendly, and Spade recalled that she was “always so chirpy and fun and hilarious. So I would just keep checking in on her now and then.”

David Spade and his sister-in-law Kate Spade attend a gallery exhibition in 2006. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)

But things have fallen apart for the “Melrose Place” actress in recent months, starting with her arrest in February for allegedly committing battery on three sheriff’s deputies who responded to her home on a report she had assaulted her live-in boyfriend. Since then, she’s threatened suicide, reportedly become violent with family and other law enforcement officers and been hospitalized, most recently after suffering a possible overdose.

But amid all her turmoil, Locklear managed to reach out to Spade when his designer sister-in-law Kate Spade was found dead by suicide in her New York City apartment on June 5. Spade’s brother, Andy Spade, was married to Kate Spade, and the two were parents of a 13-year-old daughter.

In a statement, Andy Spade revealed that his wife had suffered depression and anxiety for many years, but said there was no indication she was thinking about taking her life. “It was a complete shock,” Andy Spade said. “And it clearly wasn’t her. There were personal demons she was battling.”

It’s likely that Locklear could relate to someone battling personal demons, so her outreach to David Spade makes sense.

“She checked in on me with Katie, and all that stuff,” Spade told Cohen. “A lot of people did. And it was really nice. Katie was a sweetheart, too, so Heather I think might have met her in the old days. … I mean, what can you do other than just say hello and check in and say, ‘If you ever want to say hi, or talk, or anything.’”

“That’s what people did to me with Katie, and there’s something nice about (knowing) people are just out there. It’s just sort of a friendly gesture … no one can do anything (with) what happened with Kate, but at least … you just feel like it’s some niceness coming in, good vibes, instead of what’s going, which is obviously very tough.”

As for Locklear, he lamented her “tough situation,” while noting “we all” go through hard times.

“I mean, I have my down moments like everybody,” he said. “Everyone’s literally one inch away from having some trouble, sometimes.”

This week, Spade is making the PR rounds to promote two new projects, a new Netflix movie, “Father of the Year” and his new autobiographical audiobook, “A Polaroid Guy in a Snapchat World.”